Historical & Cultural Relations

Historically, India-Cambodia relations are a product of Hindu and Buddhist religious and cultural influences, emanating out of India in the 4th-6th century AD, to various parts of South-East Asia. Though Cambodia, like most of its neighbours, is a Buddhist nation, there is a strong influence of Hindu rituals, idolatry and mythology. The pervading influence of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Indian architecture, is borne out by the structures at Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphuon, and other religious and historical sites in Cambodia. This is glorious testimony of the profound cultural and social basis of India-Cambodia historical relationship.

After the 15th century, contacts between India and Cambodia decreased significantly, under the onslaught of European powers seeking colonies in South East Asia and thereafter, in South Asia. Indo-Cambodian bilateral relations in the post Second World War period commenced with the Indian independence in 1947. This was the period of overthrow of colonialism in many countries of Asia and Africa. The first real and meaningful contact between India and Cambodia began at the forum of the Non Aligned Movement.